Sisters making history with combat roles

By Stephanie King

Updated 8:51 am, Thursday, October 4, 2012

Photo: Photo Courtesy Of Judson ISD Pub

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2011 Judson High School graduate Sarah Gomez, left, and her sister, Judson senior Meladee Gomez, are sworn in Sept. 13 as members of the Texas Army National Guard, with Capt. Mathews Metyko conducting the ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

2011 Judson High School graduate Sarah Gomez, left, and her sister, Judson senior Meladee Gomez, are sworn in Sept. 13 as members of the Texas Army National Guard, with Capt. Mathews Metyko conducting the

For the first time in the history of the National Guard, two young women — sisters from Judson High School — are preparing to break out onto the battlefield in a wave of new opportunity for women to fight for their country.

It is not unusual for two young ladies, even two sisters, to join in a National Guard unit. What are unusual are the roles they will be trained for once they leave basic combat training and advanced individual training.

Both sisters will join the armor and field artillery unit. As a fire support specialist, Sarah Gomez will plot coordinates on a multi-rocket track vehicle as she operates the high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS), and Meladee Gomez will pull the trigger as she fires on enemy positions with the multiple launch rocket system (MLRS).

Until recently, both of these field artillery jobs were off-limits to women.

Sarah leaves for basic training in May 2013, and Meladee in July 2013.

The career move to the National Guard comes at their mother's suggestion. “It's a tough job, but they're tough girls,” said Jennifer Gomez. “They have been through difficult times in our lives and they've overcome everything. They can do this. This is not going to be a problem.”

Their mother acknowledges that there is a fear factor, but she has spoken to her daughters in great detail about the risks of battle, and is convinced they are ready for the task.

“I am relieved they will be together,” Jennifer Gomez said. “They are going to be each other's support system. But on top of that, to break that glass ceiling is such a feat that, as a mom, I am so proud of them. They are saying so much for women.”

“It's overwhelming to know that these girls are making history and they don't understand it,” the mother said. “Someday they will. We're also proud of them and how this is going to change the military in general.”